Footscray Edgewater paceman Brad Robertson makes an appeal. 71603 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
FOOTSCRAY Edgewater began its Premier cricket season with a performance that had “team effort” written all over it.
The Bulldogs defeated Richmond with 25 balls to spare in the one-day encounter, with young guns Dylan Kight and and Travis Dean top scoring with 46 runs apiece.
“It was a tremendously well-rounded team effort,” said head coach Barry Neivandt, who commended his side’s even bowling attack.
Firebrand Brad Roberston took 2/24 while Sean Hollins claimed 2/48. Matthew Livingstone was economical with figures of 1/14 off eight overs, while Shane Jones and Andrew McCammond chipped in with a wicket each as Footscray Edgewater restricted Richmond to 8/162.
“Andrew McCammond coming back to the club bowled really well early and restricted Will Sheridan (13 runs) who was looking to walk down the track and try and have a go at him. Andrew put him on his back foot and bowled a few bouncers and it was just terrific,” Neivandt said.
Even Ben Green, who failed to take a scalp, drew high praise from Neivandt.
“Green bowled 10 overs for 25 in a pretty hectic time in the game, he bowled really well.
Neivandt said Footscray Edgewater’s run chase was level-headed and risk-averse. Even when the Bulldogs looked a tad shaky at 3/27, the cool heads of Kight and Dean reclaimed the ascendancy, as Hollins (21 not out) and Michael Hill (12 not out) finished the job.
“It was low-risk, smart batting,” Nievandt said. “We were looking to rotate the singles. It was an area we dominated compared to our opposition.”
Footscray Edgwarter’s fielding was also sharp, with Hill’s run out of Brenton McDonald (29) a highlight.
“We were efficient with our fielding. Michael Hill was a stand-out in the field. We took our opportunities with run outs and catching, and coupled with the bowling the end result was pressure on our opposition.
Neivandt said the disciplined performance augured well for the rest of the season, providing the Bulldogs remained on task.
The Bulldogs are still to welcome Dean Russ and Anthony Barton, who are returning from playing cricket in England, back into the side, while the transfer of Tallen Wright from Essendon is pending.
